Studying in Canada

Pursuing your studies in Canada is a great opportunity. Canada is the home of some of the world’s top research facilities and academic institutions with 97 universities and a number of Colleges.

One of the biggest benefits of studying in Canada is that nearly 95% of our universities are publicly funded and adhere to similar accreditation standards. The funding allocation means that you'll receive a top quality education regardless of which university you choose. Canada is made up of ten provinces and three territories and each one runs its own education system.

Why Study in Canada?

Immigration - Post-study work visa!

The Post-Graduation Work Permit Program allows graduates who have been studying in Canada for more than eight months to stay on to work in the country. Please visit the Immigration website.

Campus lifestyle

A lot of funding goes into ensuring students have plenty to do whilst on programme. From Olympic-quality sports facilities to public concert halls and art galleries. You'll never get bored whilst studying in Canada.

Language education

Canada is a bilingual country and is considered a world leader in language training!

With French and English as a first and second language, language learning is a top priority in the Canadian education system. You'll be given the opportunity to sharpen your language skills with most institutions and with the students you'll meet you can practise your language skills together.

It's very safe in Canada!

Canada is well known for being safe and Canadian's are generally regarded as friendly and open in nature. Canada ranks consistently as one of the best places in the World to live.

Multicultural society

Almost all Canadian universities will recruit from all corners of the globe. You therefore get an ethnically diverse experience. When you arrive your adviser will help you to integrate into the social life of the campus, encouraging you to join clubs and associations.

Cost - affordable education

The quality of education and living standards in Canada are amongst the highest in the world. Although, the cost of living and tuition fees for international students are generally lower than in other countries such as the United States and the United Kingdom.

Qualification

Because of Canada’s academic standards and rigorous quality controls means you’ll get a high-quality education that will open doors beyond your imagination. A Canadian degree, diploma or certificate is globally recognised and is equally weighted against those obtained from the United States or Commonwealth countries.

How to apply?

Applying to a Canadian university is straightforward. The entire application process will take you under an hour to complete!

Applications can be made directly and online to a chosen university.

You'll need to consider the following:

Check the application requirements for each university / college.

There is no central application system like UCAS or Common App. Therefore, Students will be applying directly to the university of their choice. Although there are some exceptions. The Ontario Universities Application Centre (OUAC) is where you can apply to multiple universities with a single application. There are other provinces that have variations of the OUAC system. Check with the university first.

Apply Online

In almost all cases students will be expected to apply online. Most applications only require your personal details, education history and information such as your intended program of interest and start date. Letters of reference, essays and test scores are typically beyond what is expected, but there are exceptions to this, ensure you check with each university.

Check the application deadlineMost applications do not open until October and deadlines range anywhere from January to June. Some universities also have multiple start dates to accommodate students studying in various countries. The “typical” start date is September of each year but some universities have January or even May start dates so there are many options for students.

Check the application processMany Canadian university programs operate on a “rolling admission” process. This means that once your application is received they can evaluate you and make a decision. Sometimes, from a complete application to the point of admission, an admission decision can be made in less than a week.

Check with each university if they have “competitive admission” programs This means that applications won't be assessed until after an application deadline has passed so make sure you understand what the application process is for your program of interest.

Points to remember:

A study permit aka student visa is required, and should be applied for after acceptance on to a programme of the differences between universities and provinces it is important to complete the study permit application carefully - universities are pretty good at guiding you through the process

It can take up to several weeks to process a study permit, assuming all the correct information is provided

UK A-levels are recognised. Check to see if BTEC qualifications are considered

Talk to the university representative that you are working with

Institutions to consider...

Bishop's University

Bishop’s University was established in 1843 and ever since, our approach to education can be summed up in one word: engagement. With approximately 2,400 students we offer a learning environment where classes are intimate and students receive personalised attention from their professors. Our students really like being able to specialise in their field, while still having flexibility to choose courses from other disciplines. We actually encourage them to explore multiple interests. Outside of class, students get very involved in campus life which creates a wonderful sense of community. And to top it all off, we have a beautiful campus located in one of the most beautiful regions of the country with many outdoor activities available in the area - a fantastic place to live and study.

Be adventurous. Be Purple. BU.

More information on the Bishop's University Website which can be found here

Carleton University

Carleton University is located in Canada’s capital city of Ottawa on a beautiful campus just minutes from downtown. Benefiting from the unique resources found in the Nation's Capital, Carleton has earned a reputation as one of the foremost universities in the fields of international affairs, journalism, and high technology. The wide range of nationally and internationally renowned programs offer the flexibility to choose the degree that suits your interests. With over 100 majors and specialisations to choose from, Carleton offers 21 undergraduate degree programs across the faculties of Arts and Social Sciences, Business, Engineering and Design, Science and Public Affairs.

Over 29,000 students enjoy our small and interactive classes, state-of-the-art research, laboratory and athletic facilities. The university has forged strong links with industry partners so that students have opportunities to gain valuable research and work placements. Having paid "real-world" experience serves to compliment all that is taught in the classroom and opens doors of opportunity upon completion of the undergraduate degree.

Carleton has a long history of attracting international students to our welcoming and inclusive campus. Today the university has approximately 3500 international students from 140 countries, creating a diverse and supportive academic community.

More information and the Carleton University website can be found here

Concordia University

Concordia University is among the largest urban universities in Canada, with 46,000 students, but our class sizes are small, with an undergraduate student-to-professor ratio of 27 to one.

Our Bachelor’s, Master’s and PhD programs are based in four Faculties: Arts and Science, Engineering and Computer Science, Fine Arts and the John Molson School of Business (JMSB).

We’re a young university that champions innovation and looks towards the future. The Times Higher Education named Concordia among the top 100 universities founded within the last 50 years. The QS World University Rankings by Subject gave us top marks for our undergraduate programs for English language and literature; education; civil and structural engineering; communication and media studies; linguistics; accounting and finance; and psychology, ranking them in the 94th percentile or higher.

QS calls Montreal the best city in Canada for students. The Economist’s Intelligence Unit places Montreal first on the planet for an international education.

Montreal is a major player on the world stage, and Concordia is front and centre. The University plays host to Fantasia, one of the most prestigious film festivals on the continent. Future Earth, the United Nations-sponsored global secretariat on global sustainability, is headquartered in Montreal under the direction of a Concordia professor.

Real-world experience

Concordia students benefit from practical learning, like managing a $1.5 million Canadian investment fund, guided by a team of senior investment management professionals from the community. Many Concordians take advantage of paid internships with companies like Bombardier, IBM and Pfizer to bridge university and the work world.

Stunning facilities

Business students have their own 15-storey landmark in downtown Montreal, with bright atriums, a 300-seat auditorium, 45 smart classrooms, and six amphitheatres. Our EV Building houses 300 specialized engineering and computer science labs, plus fine arts studio spaces, a gallery, and a black box theatre.

The historic Loyola Campus west of downtown has one of the top university facilities in the country for social, life and natural sciences. Researchers at the PERFORM Centre use state-of-the-art laboratories, conditioning equipment and assessment suites to achieve better health through prevention.

For more information and the Concordia University website please visit here

Ryerson University

Ryerson is Canada’s leader in innovative, career-focused education. Located in downtown Toronto, Ryerson provides students with direct access to every industry imaginable through co-ops, internships, and placements. Ryerson is internationally renowned for its boundary-pushing research and dynamic programs in the areas of Arts; Communication & Design; Community Services; Engineering and Architectural Science; Science and Business. Ryerson is home to more than 38,000 undergraduate and graduate students, representing over 140 countries. The Ryerson campus features state-of-the-art facilities, peaceful green spaces, and modern residence accommodation.

For more information and the Ryerson University website please click here

Queen's University

For more information and the Queen's University website please click here

University of Waterloo

Waterloo has been ranked Canada’s “most innovative” university for 25 years in a row. What sets Waterloo apart is co-operative education. Ranked #1 overall by CEOs and recruiters, co-op at Waterloo gives students a competitive edge in career preparation.

The university is located in Waterloo, Ontario – just 110km west of Toronto, Canada’s largest metropolitan area. The community is focused on students and is made up of 195 different ethnic backgrounds, creating a vibrant cultural scene in one of Canada’s “youngest” cities.

More information and the University of Waterloo website can be found here.

University of Windsor

The University of Windsor is a comprehensive, student-focused university, with more than 15,000 students enrolled in a broad range of undergraduate and graduate programs including several professional schools such as: Law, Business, Engineering, Education, Nursing, Human Kinetics, and Social Work.

We have strong student-faculty relationships, exceptional award-winning faculty and innovative staff. It creates a unifying atmosphere of excellence across all of our faculties to encourage lifelong learning, teaching, research and discovery.

The University of Windsor is located next to North America’s busiest international border crossing, and looks out on one of Canada’s most beautiful waterfronts on the Detroit River. Windsor is also Canada’s southernmost city and has some of the country’s best weather.

This location speaks to UWindsor’s strength as an internationally oriented, multi-disciplined institution that actively enables a broad diversity of students, faculty and staff to make a better world through education, scholarship, research and engagement.

Its basic characteristics of openness, warmth and support make the University of Windsor an exceptionally welcoming community for students and faculty from Asia, Europe and Africa—or from just down the street.

More information and the University of Windsor's website can be found here.

Mount Allison University

Mount Allison University, ranked #2 undergraduate university in Canada offers degrees in Arts, Science (including Aviation), Commerce, Music, and Fine Arts. MtA has been ranked Canada’s best undergraduate university by Maclean’s magazine more times than any other university. Mount Allison also has one of the best Rhodes Scholar records among Canadian universities.

Mount Allison's liberal arts and sciences curriculum offers a wide range of subjects that allow you to follow your passions, discover new ones, and connect them in interesting — and sometimes surprising — ways. With more than 40 different programs to choose from, you can create your own unique degree.

Located in the province of New Brunswick on the East Coast of Canada, MtA is a close-knit community where students benefit from small class sizes with an average of 17 students to 1 faculty member. Located in a town of 5,500 people, our student population of 2,400 is actively involved in community and campus events. We offer a lively residential campus where students develop friendships while partaking in some of our 150 sports teams, clubs and societies.